Unable to boot from CD or USB on Asus. Boot options in BIOS not working.

I have a new Asus S405C (Sonic Master) and I'm trying to dual install a Linux OS.

To get into BIOS, my options are either Esc for "Boot Order" or F2 for Setup.

However, when I do Esc. for Boot options, it just has two options:
Windows Boot Manager (PO: XXXXXXXXXXX XX-XXXXXXXXX)
Enter Setup

When I choose the Windows Boot Manager, it just does a regular boot into Windows. When I click Setup, it just goes to the regular setup as if I did a F2 into BIOS.

So in Seteup, there are these options:
Fast Boot
Launch CSM

#Boot Option Prorities
Boot Option #1 [Windows Boot Manager]

Add new Boot Option
Delete Boot Option
---

Tried Disabling Fast Boot; disabling Windows, which is the only option for Boot Option #1; and under "Add new Boot Option", there is a new screen with the following options:
Add boot option
Select filesystem [PCI(1f|2)\DevicePath(Type 3, SubType 12)HD(Part1,SigXXXXXX-XXXX...)
Path for boot option
Create
----

So for Select filesystem, the option shown is the only option given. So apparently I need to add a boot option or create a path for boot option or both. Not sure.

So maybe if I can be advised on how to create a boot option for the CD or USB? Also the path I suppose will be needed.

There is a Microsoft System Management BIOS and I remember it has a disable option and had no idea what would happen if I disabled it. So is it okay if I disable it or will it have no effect towards the solution of my problem here?

cascade9

12-03-2012 03:37 AM

Asus S405C seems to be a battery serial number. 'Sonic Master' is used for several different asus laptop models.

To get better help, try finding the model number (e.g. 'Asus N53SV').

H_TeXMeX_H

12-03-2012 05:51 AM

Try to find the right model number and check the manual or post a link to the manual which should be an the ASUS site.

ar2deetu

12-03-2012 07:46 AM

S405C is the model (or series) number.

Sonic Master is separate. I just included it for completeness as it is emboldened at the top right corner on the inside above the keypad.

EDIT:
Okay, so scratch that. I guess this isn't very intuitive laptop. This is the only number on the front of the manual, so maybe someone with a little more insight can tell if this is the Model number:
E7418

Sadly, there isn't much in the manual about boot priority ... in fact it's about the same as you posted.

You may have to just add each device using the "add boot option".

ar2deetu

12-03-2012 08:49 AM

Is there any advice on how to add boot option. I have searched and searched but nothing of intuitive value.

Looks like I have to add boot option, create the path, and then click "Create".

I'm not sure what to add for the "Add boot option". CDROM?

And for the "Path for boot option", I don't know that one either.

The example it shows on the right is:
fs0:\path\filename.efi

Any familiarity with this?

TobiSGD

12-03-2012 09:01 AM

As I see this laptop comes with Windows 8 and has the Secure Boot feature. May it be possible that you have Secure Boot enabled in the UEFI/BIOS (see page 70 in the English version of the manual)?
If so, AFAIK currently no Linux distribution to install on a PC/laptop with Secure Boot enabled. If you want to disable it keep in mind that most probably this will prevent your Windows installation from booting.
Unless Linux versions with signed bootloaders are available running Linux in a VM is the only viable way to go.

H_TeXMeX_H

12-03-2012 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD
(Post 4841766)

As I see this laptop comes with Windows 8 and has the Secure Boot feature. May it be possible that you have Secure Boot enabled in the UEFI/BIOS (see page 70 in the English version of the manual)?
If so, AFAIK currently no Linux distribution to install on a PC/laptop with Secure Boot enabled. If you want to disable it keep in mind that most probably this will prevent your Windows installation from booting.
Unless Linux versions with signed bootloaders are available running Linux in a VM is the only viable way to go.

Thanks for that link. Has any distribution already made the inclusion of that bootloader to their install/Live media?

ar2deetu

12-03-2012 10:09 AM

Hi thanks for the replies!

I tried disabling secure boot. Windows booted and did a secure check and update in the process and nothing else happened.

I'm still wondering if I can provide the correct boot option name and path for boot option under create new boot option that maybe I can make this work.

I'm looking into the shim option provided by TexMex. It's a bit over my head right now but will go through the steps and see what I can do. I still worry that I will need to know boot option names and paths to ultimately make this work.

I also don't want to break any return policy codes (if I haven't already) because if this continues to be a pain, I will just return it. I have read that through the years, Asus has has gone through some hostility phases against Linux with microsoft feeling the threat and coaxing them to their side and against the Linux community. I'm sure this whole process can be cracked, but why does it have to be "cracked" in the first place? Hostility is the answer.

H_TeXMeX_H

12-03-2012 10:17 AM

Secure boot means you can't just boot anything you want. The bootloader has to be signed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD
(Post 4841805)

Thanks for that link. Has any distribution already made the inclusion of that bootloader to their install/Live media?

I don't think so, it was released a few days ago.

ar2deetu

12-03-2012 10:43 PM

Okay, so I cracked the code. At least for the CD. Still won't work for the USB.

Now I just get to re-partitiion the drive. yay. Encountering some more hostility. The windows 8 is spread across 6 partitions leaving the RECOVERY at the last 20 GIGS. Strategic much? two partitions are roughly 300 gigs a piece at 4 and 5. This is all completely unnecessary but as part of the scheme to deter would-be Open Source enthusiasts, it should be pretty effective.

I am confused as to where the logical partition begins. Partitions 1-3 are all under a few hundred megs and 4 is the OS.

I have been reading a lot about the recent changes related to the BIOS and boot loading in which I may delve more into later however, I am still vague on all the details. I am wondering if it may be all that simple to just install the distro and be done with it like normally. I have been reading about the easyBCD, as well as rEFIl? the shims and other slice and dices. I have the Secure Boot disabled for now so I don't really need to worry about the shims for now. I am installing Mint as it is the one on the CD, and I am too exhausted to re-download something else and burn it to CD. Mint however, is a fine distro so I am going with it for now. So I'm wondering about if I need to install the easyBCD or some other recipe.

As for Secure Boot, I may do that, but after I my Linux Distro installed so it is easier to work with the files and the shim and signing and binaries and all that mess. I found a nice guide, but will need to search for it again and will post it later. The guide H_TexMex_H posted is a start.

I have been screaming out my frustrations for the last 3 days on this issue as it was something new to me that sneaked right under my radar for the last two years during which time this ordeal has been in the making (or cooking as history may properly name it). So I am going to rest my brain for an hour or so.

May someone advise me on whether or not a simple install like (what is now) the old days will be sufficient since I am doing boot with secure boot disabled? If not what may it entail?

I would like to know what I am looking forward to before I start slicing up the windows partitions.

Thanks!

H_TeXMeX_H

12-04-2012 02:52 AM

A simple install should be possible with secure boot disabled. Just select the right Window$ partition so you don't overwrite the wrong one.

TobiSGD

12-04-2012 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ar2deetu
(Post 4842180)

I am confused as to where the logical partition begins.

I would be surprised if they didn't use GPT partitioning instead of the older (and limited) MBR partitions. So there shouldn't be any logical partitions, simply because they aren't needed.

ar2deetu

12-04-2012 07:09 AM

Yeah. Have learned that with the UEFI system, there is no long a limit of 4 primary partitions which ought to make things a little easier.

I also am trying to install on the ssd drive instead of dealing with slicing up the windows stuff. I was able to get the USB to boot by providing a EFI/boot/bootx64.efi copied from a Shell.efi file.

Problem I'm dealing with right now is that the installer is complaining about "No common CD-ROM drive was detected". UGH! One thing after a freakin-other.